Steering in Emergencies

There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in the lane, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. These problems can be avoided by braking—if you can stop in time.

If you cannot fully stop, follow these suggestions:

. Quickly apply the brakes to remove as much speed as possible from a collision.

. Steer around the problem, to the left to right depending on available space.

. Straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.

    See also:

    Using ABS
    Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let ABS work. You might hear the ABS pump or motor operating and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal. ...

    Collision Damage Repair (U.S. and Canada)
    If the vehicle is involved in a collision and it is damaged, have the damage repaired by a qualified technician using the proper equipment and quality replacement parts. Poorly performed col ...

    Checking Engine Oil
    It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the vehicle must be on level ground. The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See En ...